As summer fades

As another summer draws to an end and the days grow shorter, we try to squeeze in those summer time activities before the season changes and before we know it, we’ll find ourselves anxiously awaiting summer 2017, as we slip and chip away at the coming winter’s weather.

Summer is kick back time sitting on the front porch watching the world go by. Sandwiched between family reunions, picnics, trips to the ball park and popular swimming holes and in general trying to slow down in the pace of everyday life, we should try to just soak up the opportunity to just enjoy life.

I guess I’m just an old timer who remembers the days gone past and sees the issues facing the American family in a connected world that just can’t seem to be dialed in. As we pass through these changing times, it’s easy to find fault with the world today and complain about what we don’t agree with rather than appreciating what we do have.

The birth of a child, a christening, a child’s birthday party, or even a child’s sporting event; these are the events that define life and defy the ages. What parent, grandparent, relative or close family friend doesn’t share the same joy today that their counterparts enjoyed at any time in the past watching our young ones grow and remembering our own youthful days?

Current events will always have an impact on how the pace of life changes through the ages, but priorities are frequently self imposed. We must take stock in how we choose to live and the value we place on time, which is ever so fleeting.

The calendar pages fly off the wall, or in most cases these days, off the computer screen or mobile phone as we work harder to stay focused on just keeping up.

It’s easy to get so caught up in all the new technology, the massive amounts of information we have streaming into our homes and the constant demands on our time. Putting down the phone and replacing it with a neighborly visit over the fence, taking a family trip or volunteering for a charity requires nothing more than making a simple choice and sticking with it.

The solution is to keep your priorities grounded, sharing time with those you love and respect, while being considerate of those who do not think like you. They are entitled to their thoughts, choices and beliefs, just as much as you are to yours.

Don’t let the highly contagious political fever spoil the joys of summer. There will be plenty of time to reengage with that mess when it counts the most, during the debates and on election day.

Enjoy these last fleeting days of summer. The world with all its ups and downs, scandals and threats will still be out there when fall returns. Summers are special and each summer should be filled with unique memories that last a lifetime.